2021.09.20 Monday Sunny Day263
"Zhidao Lexue·Chinese Classics" D406
"Mencius" Li Louxia
Five
Original text
Mencius said: "The gentleman who studies the Tao further[1] wants to achieve it for himself[2]. If he achieves it for himself, he will live in peace; if he lives in peace, he will live in peace. The depth of qualifications [3]; the depth of qualifications can be obtained from the right and left, so a gentleman wants to get what he wants."
Notes
[1] Further education: verb, A profound attainment.
[2] Complacency: You have gained something.
[3] Capital: accumulation.
Translation
Mencius said: "A gentleman will follow certain methods to deepen his attainments, because he wants to gain something. Only when he has gained something can he grasp it firmly; the more he masters, the more he will master it. The more solid it is, the more it will be accumulated; the more it is accumulated, the more it can be used to achieve both ends. Therefore, a gentleman always wants to gain something."
Analysis
Mencius said this. One article mainly explains how a gentleman should cultivate himself, how to grasp it firmly, and how to gain something from himself. The further study, self-satisfaction, etc. mentioned in the article emphasize grasping the most essential things and advocate having one's own unique experience. Only in this way can it be used to both ends.
Six
Original text
Mencius said: "If you are knowledgeable and explain it in detail, you will talk about it in reverse [1]."
Notes
[1] I will talk about the covenant in reverse: finally returning to the realm of briefly describing the great meaning.
Translation
Mencius said: "Extensive study and detailed explanation will eventually return to the state of briefly explaining the great meaning."
Analysis
The truth is originally simple, but people make it more and more complex and profound due to some external factors. This article proposes that the detailed explanation is not to show off the erudition, but to ultimately explain the profound things in a simple way and achieve the purpose of briefly describing the main meaning.
Seven
Original text
Original text
Mencius said: "No one can convince others by being kind[1]. Also. Cultivate people with kindness [2], and then you can conquer the world. There is no such thing as a king who is not convinced."
Notes
[1] Convince others. Impressed.
[2]Nurturing people: edifying others.
Translation
Mencius said: "If you use your own kindness to convince others, there is no one who can convince others. If you use your own kindness to educate others, you can convince everyone in the world." There has never been a man who could become a king even if the people of the world were not convinced."
Analysis
He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world. Only by using your good deeds to educate others can others succeed. Be impressed. Forcing others to convince will never win the support of the people, and no one will be truly convinced. Therefore, only by influencing others through good deeds can we be convinced by others and be able to rule the world.
Eight
Original text
Mencius said: "When Xizi [1] is unclean, everyone will cover their noses and pass by. Although there are evil [2] people , fasting and bathing, you can worship God."
Notes
[1] Xizi: Xishi, one of the four beauties in ancient times.
[2]Evil: ugly.
Translation
Mencius said: "Even if a beautiful woman like Xi Shi is contaminated with unclean things, people will pass by her with their noses covered; even an ugly person , as long as he fasts and bathes, he can also offer sacrifices to the gods."
Analysis
No matter how beautiful the appearance is, people will be disgusted if it is contaminated with bad things; no matter how ugly the appearance is, it will be disgusting. As long as your heart is pure, you can also worship gods.